The policy was originally announced two days out from the 2013 Federal Election, along with a mandatory opt-out internet filtering of all adult content. The Coalition backflipped on that policy five hours after ZDNet revealed the party's plans.

"Also the creation of a new statutory body and new regulation on complaints handling seems at odds with the government’s stated strategy to reduce regulation and to streamline Government agencies."

The government is also seeking to amend the Criminal Code with specific cyber-bullying offenses targeted at people under 18, as well as a potential civil enforcement regime for people failing to remove and/or cease bullying children online. The penalty proposed would be an AU$1,000 fine.